Maintaining F-1 Status

Review the following options for maintaining your F-1 Status

Enrollment Requirements

  • Pursue a full course of study (i.e., 12 units for UGRD and 9 units for GRAD).
    • Unless authorized by ISSS for
    • Be mindful of allowable online credits. Only one course or 3 units per a student's full-time enrollment can be online. The other remaining courses must be in-person or hybrid.
      • If you only have one course to complete in your final semester, this course cannot be online. 
  • Make progress towards degree completion. 
  • Maintain a valid I-20.
    • Know your expiration date.
    • Update if major changes.
  • Maintain a valid travel signature.
    • Validity of 12 months, when pursuing degree.
    • Validity of 6 months when on OPT/STEM OPT.
  • Report a change of address within 10 days of moving via MySJSU.
  • Do not engage in off-campus employment (paid or unpaid) without the proper employment authorization (i.e., CPT).

OPT

  • Work within the dates of the authorized (EAD) Employment Authorization Document.
  • All employment (paid or unpaid) must be related to your major field of study.
  • Employment must be at least 20 hours per week, in order not to accrue unemployment days.
  • Do not exceed an aggregate of 90 days of unemployment.
  • Report employment via the SEVP portal or directly to ISSS within 10 days.
  • Report a change of address within 10 days of moving via the SEVP portal.
  • Maintain a valid travel signature.
    • Validity of 6 months, when on OPT.

STEM OPT

Exceptions to Full-Time Enrollment

Other Resources

Contact Us

San José State University

One Washington Square
Student Union - CPGE
San Jose, CA 95192-0135

Office Hours

Monday-Friday 9am – 4:30pm

 
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